The first half was a Miami blowout. The Dolphins scored a touchdown after an early Tom Brady interception and another on a drive that started on their own 42-yardline. They carried a 17-3 lead into the half, but that was all the points they would score. The Patriots offense and defense completely changed and they steamrolled Miami 24-0 in the second half.
It appeared the teams changed uniforms at the half. In the first 30 minutes, the Patriots gave up a sack, an interception, ran just 24 offensive plays for only 59 yards, and got 5 first downs. Meanwhile, the Dolphins gave up 0 sacks, committed 0 turnovers, ran 40 plays for 175 yards, and notched 13 first downs.
But in the second half, the Patriots gave up 2 sacks but had 0 turnovers, gained 193 yards, and got 15 first downs. And the newly hapless Dolphins gave up 6 sacks and had 3 turnovers, gained 126 yards, and got only 10 first downs. This was easily the best job of halftime adjustments by the Patriots coaching staff (and of implementing those adjustments by the players).
The offensive line went from terrible to terrific. Brady was under heavy duress in the first half, with several missed assignments allowing for easily blown up plays. Logan Makins blew at least two plays, and it wasn't looking good when starting RT Sebastian Vollmer left the game with a leg injury. But they were stout in the second half, improving from 2.7 to 5.0 yards per rush, and giving Brady time to pick apart the Miami defense.
Brady ended the day just 13 of 22 (59%), 116 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception, and a 69.5 QB rating. Brady was reportedly injured, and that might have been the cause of the many inaccurate throws (although he's been off the mark quite a bit this year). He did have a huge eight-yard run for a first down, and he did a much better job spreading the ball around to his receivers.
The receiving star of the day was Aaron Dobson, who caught 4 passes for 60 yards, had a touchdown grab, and finally -- FINALLY -- connected with Brady on a back-shoulder throw. Returning from injury, Danny Amendola was targeted the most (6), but ended up with just 3 catches for 15 yards. Rob Gronkowski went 2 for 27, his run-blocking is rounding into its old form (which is dominating), and he looked to be more on the same page with Brady.
The running backs did a nice job, especially in the second half. Stevan Ridley got 79 yards on 14 carries (5.6 ypc), and he had a couple of excellent blocks on blitz pick up. LeGarrette Blount started the game, and made the most of it (11 carries for 46 yards) -- and he also did a very good job on kickoff returns. Brandon Bolden pitched in with 8 carries for 22 yards, and also caught 2 passes for 7 yards.
There were three stars on the defensive line. Rookie Chris Jones, one week removed from his overtime penalty, had 7 tackles, 1 sack (7 yards), a QB hit, and 2 tackles for a loss. He also helped shore up the porous run defense in the second half. Chandler Jones (no relation) brought consistent pressure from the outside, and blocked a field goal that would have made it a one-score game in the fourth quarter. And the ever-present Rob Ninkovich had 6 tackles, 1 sack (6 yards), 3 QB hits, 1 tackle for a loss, and a fumble recovery.
On the flip side, linebackers Brandon Spikes and Dont'a Hightower had trouble most of the game. Spikes (9 tackles) guessed run/pass correctly on the majority of plays, but he blitzed himself out of far too many running plays and didn't tackle well enough on others. Hightower's stat line looks good: 10 tackles, 1 sack (9 yards), a QB hit, and 2 tackles for a loss. But he sometimes appears tentative; as if he was more concerned with taking on blockers than with getting the ball-carrier. This might be coaching or maybe he's worried about giving up big plays. Either way the team needs to address it.
None of the other linebackers were notable for much; but it was interesting to see both Dane Fletcher and Jamie Collins get increased playing time in the absence of Jerod Mayo. (Trivia Question: With Mayo out for the year, he will not lead the Patriots in tackles this season. Can you name the last player other than Mayo to lead the Patriots in tackles for a season, and as a bonus what year was it? Answer below.)
There were several stars in the secondary... again, in the second half. Rookie Logan Ryan blitzed thrice and got two sacks (18 yards), forcing a fumble on one. He also had a pass knocked down in the defensive backfield. Devin McCourty got beaten a few times on isolated coverage in the first quarter, but he teamed up with Marquice Cole on one of the prettiest interceptions you'll ever see (sort of a tip-ball from out of bounds for the INT). Also, despite being beaten on crossing routes, Alfonzo Dennard ended up with 9 tackles, and Kyle Arrington shook off some early woes and had a big pass knock down.
Special teams were okay; long kickoffs and punts with the wind, shorter ones into it. The one spectacular play was Jones' blocked field goal. But also of note: Nate Ebner had 2 tackles and 2 assists, and he's doing a great job on kickoff coverage specifically.
The coaches did a poor job on the initial game plan. Miami ran at will, and the short passing game and some scrambles by their QB were just killers. But the halftime adjustments were terrific, and you can't argue with the results; a second-half shutout is great against any team, let alone one that put up 17 points against you in the first half.
So where does that leave us? 6-2 is halfway to a 12-4 record, which would put the team in the playoffs for sure and likely have them competing for a bye week. If they beat Pittsburgh this weekend, it will be their first winning streak since September. Given the Steelers' woes, the Patriots *should* beat them, but in a year of win-lose-win-lose, you just never know.
Statistical Oddity of the Week: Brady had as many pass attempts (22) as Miami QB Ryan Tannehill had completions.
Weekly Water-cooler Wisdom: "I don't know; Brady's hand looks just swell to me!" (wait for laughter to ensue, or a dope-slap, depending on your audience).
Keep the faith,
- Scott
PS. 6-2!
PPS. Trivia Answer:
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In 2007, the year before Mayo entered the NFL, Tedy Bruschi led the team with 92 tackles. (Note: Allan, the Weather God, got that answer on the spot at yesterday's game. Kudos -- and thank you for another nice day in Foxboro!)
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